I loved creating things, because I grew up in a family whose livelihood depended on the production of Nambu Ironware. I was also easily drawn into anything that caught my fancy. I idolized doctors after reading the comic series “Black Jack,” and became interested in space, inspired by movies like “STAR WARS” and “Back to the Future.” I also loved using the internet, PCs, and playing computer games.

I've always enjoyed reading informational picture books. I remember reading one about gemstones and getting excited to find out what elements they are made of and how differently they shine. I think it was this curiosity as a child that led me to study chemistry and become a researcher.

I've always liked math and science classes since I was little, so I was a big fan of science. I also loved music. I started taking piano lessons when I was in preschool, and I enjoyed playing in concert bands in elementary and junior high schools. I was torn between science and music when choosing a college. I thought I'd probably have to give up science if I chose music, so I finally decided to study science at Kyoto University. But then I joined the university orchestra and played music much more than I studied! I really enjoyed it and I have no regrets, but if I could go back in time and be a student again, I would probably study a little harder.

It's important to have something you're passionate about besides your studies. As a high school student, I was hooked on HTML coding to set up my own website when it was very primitive—the kind with a counter that says "You are the 100th visitor." Still, my youthful experience of tapping away at a PC with a single-minded focus has probably influenced the way I develop and operate the online store of Nambu Ironware.

When I was looking for a job, I had set my sights on a research position that would allow me to work with some of the best technology in the world. A graduate of my college research group suggested that Tokyo Electron Technology Solutions might be a good fit for me. Considering Iwate's proximity to my hometown and the prospect of being able to work globally, I decided to join the company.

I had no connection with semiconductor research at that time. I was a chemistry major and knew little about semiconductors. But I also knew that my chemistry background could be useful in semiconductor development, and that semiconductor technology has a huge potential to move the world forward. The much-discussed generative AI is also highly dependent on semiconductors.

I faced a major obstacle after completing my master's and doctoral degrees. To become a full-fledged astronomer, people typically start as a researcher and then look for a higher position, such as an assistant professor. But I specialized in black hole research based on X-ray astronomy, a field with few job openings, so it was an uphill battle. Fortunately, the Mizusawa VLBI Observatory offered me a postdoctoral position in radio astronomy. I accepted the offer because it would allow me to continue my black hole research, though it was a different area of specialization.

I suppose I'm generally not too rigid about my goals. When the going gets tough, I don't mind broadening my focus a bit to choose an adjacent route that seems less impossible or more exciting. I've never had a fixed goal. As a result, I think the path I've chosen has been quite enjoyable. I never imagined that I would be both an astronomer and a semiconductor equipment researcher, but the offer seemed very exciting, and I accepted immediately.

Whatever career you choose, you have to try to stick with it, and in time you may realize that you made the right choice. Speaking for myself, I once gave up on my career in manufacturing and jumped from job to job as my curiosity dictated, including temporary work and a stint at an advertising agency. However, the earthquake that devastated the Tohoku area in 2011 made me reassess my views. I wanted to do something that would be of service to others, and also wanted to pass on Nambu Ironware to future generations, including my newborn child. So, I went back home and asked my father to let me work in the family business again. Since then, I have been promoting Nambu Ironware to as many fans around the world as possible. There have been many detours along the way, but I think my various experiences have led me to my current career path.

There have been very few occasions in my career when I felt that being a woman was an issue. Over the years, I've just taken on any challenge that caught my fancy. Though I've failed from time to time, somehow I've managed to reach where I am today. So, I didn't really relate to the recent call for more women to be hired and in leadership positions. However, after I succeeded in capturing the image of a black hole at the Mizusawa VLBI Observatory, I received many requests to speak publicly, and one day I was struck by the words that came from the audience after my presentation.

One was the comment from a girl in junior high school: "I'm glad to know women can be research scientists, too." Another comment was from a mother accompanying her child: "If I had tried hard enough, I might have chosen a career that produced results and benefited society. I envy you."

I have never felt that any profession was off limits to women or that women were incapable of certain tasks. The rational mind would tell you that anyone can do anything, regardless of gender. However, there may still be many women out there who are oppressed by the conventional thinking that "women should study the humanities" or that "women should marry to be housewives." I used to be reluctant to stand on a podium, but now that I have become aware of the oppressed women, I feel it is for a good cause to speak in front of an audience.

I know for a fact that many women work in TEL's R&D department.

As generations change and values evolve, companies and people also gradually change. When my daughter hears someone praising my husband for participating in childcare, she laughs and says, "Why does only Daddy get all the praise when Mommy does it, too?" If this is the typical reaction of her generation, I don't want to impose my generation's values on them.

There are many women working at my factory, too. Some tasks require considerable muscle power and others may be too dangerous for women, but the problem can be solved by simply reassigning these tasks. By weighing the skills and values of each worker, we should be able to arrive at a productive division of labor based on mutual respect.

Differences in physical strength can hopefully be compensated for by technology. If some workpieces are too heavy for some people to carry, perhaps a user-friendly transport system can be introduced for the benefit of all. I hope that such improvements will be worked out on many shop floors.

The most exciting part of my job is to think about how we can take the Nambu Ironware industry into the future. As a manager, I should always keep this perspective in mind to ensure all employees can continue to earn a living. Given the weak yen and booming inbound tourism, what is the best approach to expand sales globally while maintaining employment and preserving skills for our successors? I've been trying to redefine Nambu Ironware from different perspectives so it can be passed on for generations to come.

Recently, I was thrilled to learn that our iron kettle customers included such people as world-famous athletes and residents of remote Alaska. It made me realize that our work at hand is really connected to the wider world out there. I hear some astronomers are considering the possibility of building an observatory on the moon. If such a project is realized, a collaboration to produce Nambu Ironware on the moon may not be far behind. I love imagining various things will be connected together!

Indeed, iron mining on the moon might be possible. Since iron is also one of the key materials for semiconductors, it can be the common thread that connects the three of us here today.

At Tokyo Electron Technology Solutions, I’m in charge of using data analytics to improve semiconductor production equipment. What's interesting is that we can choose our own approach by leveraging our interest and expertise. For example, when depositing a thin film on a wafer, or the substrate for a semiconductor chip, it is essential to maintain the thickness and quality of film stably, and there are infinite solutions to this problem. So, I can approach this problem using the data analytics skills I have cultivated in astronomical research. Our responsibility is to help build even better products using our strengths.

I agree. My approach to the R&D process is defined by the question, "What is the optimal balance of parameters such as gas composition and temperature to meet the production requirements for customers?" Because our work is at the cutting edge of technologies, there is no definitive answer, so we must try viable solutions on our own. It's like maneuvering in the dark at a breakneck speed! I find it hard, yet exciting. Sometimes the results from analysis completely defies our expectations. Even a failure gives us important insights to reevaluate the process.

Perhaps this lesson also applies to career building. In each step during a new challenge, we can learn something useful for the next.

I would like to make Nambu Ironware the subject of a global arts and crafts project, increase fans around the world, and sustain its cultural heritage. Similar works of excellent craftsmanship may be created anywhere in the world today, but I believe the birthplace of Nambu Ironware should retain a special significance, and we should do everything possible to enhance the value it represents.

In the semiconductor device market, over 90% of sales go to overseas companies, while Japan is struggling to catch up. However, Japan remains strong in areas such as high-purity gas materials, wafers, and production equipment. We should improve the performance of these products and establish a winning formula for Japan. At both the national and local levels, Japan is focusing on fostering skilled people to sustain semiconductor manufacturing.

As for me, I’d like to continue practicing science, alternating between the fields of astronomy and semiconductors before passing the torch to the next generation. I think there are a lot of things that only I can do as an astronomer and TEL employee.

I also want to shine a spotlight on Iwate. The region is rich in tourism resources and is sure to grow once transportation is improved.

I've lived in many places, but I'm amazed by the beauty of Iwate in all seasons of the year. As an astronomer, I have to travel far and wide, but I would love to live here as long as I can. In local districts, the outflow of the younger generation is a serious problem, but I hope many of them will choose to return to Iwate after studying or working elsewhere and experiencing what is out there. Of course, non-natives are also welcome to settle in Iwate.

As the children grow, they should pursue their dreams. Afterwards, they may want to come home and expand their dreams there. It is the responsibility of adults like us to make our hometowns as welcoming as possible for them.